Evangeline Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Evangeline Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.9, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Evangeline Parish at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $935K in expected annual loss and about 20.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Evangeline Parish has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Evangeline Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 21 for hurricane events and 3 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Evangeline Parish ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.21 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 20.48 / yr | $935K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.66 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 78.38 / yr | $657K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $204K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.47 / yr | $567K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $104K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 1.76 / yr | $183K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.87 / yr | $274K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $101K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.68 / yr | $24K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $33 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Evangeline Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (21), Coastal Storm (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine |
| September 2021 | Coastal Storm | Tropical Storm Nicholas |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ida |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Evangeline Parish?
Evangeline Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Evangeline Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Drought (Medium, $935K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Evangeline Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Evangeline Parish ranks #25 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Evangeline Parish had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Evangeline Parish since 1971, most often 21 for hurricane events and 3 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Evangeline Parish's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.